Adjustable reclining chair



m'ch 29, 1955 c, STREIT 2,705,042

ADJUSTABLE RECLINING CHAIR Filed July 14, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet. 2

1N1 'ENTOR.

By M/ ZM 37 AT'IOENE ys.

mmh 29, 1955 c, STREIT 2,705,042

ADJUSTABLE RECLINING CHAIR Filed July 14, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 BYMZ gfNV EN TOR.

A M/$4M Arrow/n5.

United States Patent 0 2,705,042 ADJUSTABLE RECLINING CHAIR Carl F.Streit, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to The C. F. Streit ManufacturingCompany, Cincinnati, Ohio, a partnership Application July 14, 1953,Serial No. 367,838 10 Claims. (Cl. 155--116) This invention relates toeasy chairs of the adjustable type and particularly to a mechanismproviding adjustment of the chair in several upward steps from a fullreclining position to a generally upright or reading position.

A chair incorporating an adjustment mechanism involving generally thesame principles is disclosed in the patent issued to Carl F. Streit, No.1,674,846, dated June 26, 1928. The structure disclosed in the patentconsists of a fixed support frame or base and a composite seat assemblycomprising an upholstered seat and back rest which, for convenience, iscalled a seat" throughout the present specification and claims. The seathas its forward end pivotally mounted within the base and its rearwardend supported by a ratchet mechanism which includes an elongated pawlextending across the support frame. The opposite ends of the pawl arepivotally connected to the frame and engageable with ratchet teethcarried on the rearward edge of the seat thereby supporting the seat inadjusted position.

One of the dominant features of the patented structure resides in thearrangement of the pawl whereby it is pivoted to an inactive positionautomatically when the seat is shifted beyond its upright limit, therebyallowing the seat to be lowered to its reclining position.

Downward motion of the seat to reclining position shifts the pawl backto its active position, allowing the seat to be adjusted upwardly. Themechanism thus provides convenient adjustment of the seat without theuse of manually operated means for engaging or disengaging the awl. pEasy chairs incorporating this structure have been manufactured and soldfor many years and have been a commercial success; however the ratchetmechanism is subject to certain disadvantages and can be improved in thefollowing respects: First the entire weight load at the rear of the seatis imposed directly upon the pivot bearings of the pawl, leading toconcentrated wear a nd looseness at the bearings and in some casesrequiring replacement of parts after the chair has been sub ected tohard usage. Secondly, the motion of the pawl to its active and inactivepositions is not positive since the pawl is delicately poised and itsposition is partially dependent upon gravity; consequently, it isnecessary at times to shift the seat several times in making anadjustment, especially if the parts are worn or loosely fitted.

Thirdly, the tripping of the pawl to its active and inactive positionsrequires that the parts be fabricated and fitted together in preciserelationship at assembly in order to function properly.

One of the primary objects of the present invention therefore has beento provide a ratchet mechanismhaw ing a pivoted tumbler which, in loadsupporting position, imposes the weight load of the seat d1rec tly uponthe support frame instead of upon its pivot P1118. Accordingly, the seatis more firmly supported in its ad usted position and at the same time,the pivot bearings of the tumbler are entirely relieved of the load andpreserved from wear and looseness.

Another object has been to provide a ratchet mechanism in which atumbler is shifted to active and inactive positions relative to theratchet teeth in a positive manner to provide more reliable andconvenient ad ustment of the seat.

The present structure consists of a support frame and a seat pivotallymounted at its forward end, generally similar in construction to theprior arrangement. However, the structure differs in that the ratchetteeth at the rear of the seat are engaged by a pivoted tumbler bar whichoperates like a pawl but which, in seat supporting position, restsdirectly upon an abutment rail attached 8 rigidly to the support framebeneath the tumbler bar.

Figure 1,

2,705,042 Patented Mar. 29, 1955 In load supporting position, thetumbler bar resides in a horizontal plane resting upon the abutmentrail, with its opposite ends supporting the downwardly facing shouldersof the teeth in cantilever fashion. Accordingly, the weight load of theseat acts in a generally vertical plane through the tumbler bar and uponthe fixed abutment rail beneath it to provide a firm support with noload imposed upon the pivot bearings. The opposite ends of the bar whichsupport the load have buttress shaped spurs, the ends of which projectinto the interdental spacers delineated by the downwardly facingshoulders and arranged to swing upwardly to clear the ratchet teeth asthe seat is elevated.

T he seat is adjusted in upward steps from a full reclining position toa generally upright position; additional upward motion disengages thetumbler and allows the seat to return to full reclining position. Toprovide positive actuation of the tumbler to disengaged position, thereis provided a curved flat spring below the ratchet teeth which, uponmotion of the seat beyond its upright limit, is effective to engage andswing the tumbler upwardly against a positive stop. At this point, thetumbler 1S latched positively by a detent and so remains until downwardmotion of the seat brings a pair of shoulders mto engagement with thebar. The shoulders overhang the ratchet teeth and are effective todisengage the detent and rotate the tumbler bar into engagement with itsabutment rail, thus conditioning the mechanism for upward readjustment.During upward adjustment, the tumbler bar is rotated upon the pivot pinsby the upwardly moving ratchet teeth but not for a sufiicient distanceto engage the detent; therefore as each pair of teeth moves above thetumbler, the tumbler drops down upon the abutment rail by gravity inposition to engage the teeth if the seat is lowered upon it at thatpoint.

The present structure takes advantage of the abutment rail to utilize atumbler bar which has a detachable pivotal connection to the supportframe to facilitate original assembly of the chair and to allow thechair to be taken apart for shipment and handling. For this purpose, oneend of the tumbler bar is slotted to embrace its pivot pin. The slotopens rearwardly and the tumbler bar is inserted before the seatassembly is installed by slipping a bored end of the bar upon one pivotpin, then shifting the slotted end laterally in a rearward direction toengage its pin at the opposite side. When the seat assembly isthereafter inserted in operating position, the ratchet teeth preventforward motion of the slotted end of the tumbler bar and thus lock itupon its pivot pins.

The several components of the ratchet mechanism are constructedpreferably of wood in harmony with the character of the chair.Construction is simplified by the detachable mounting of the tumbler barand associated parts, as explained later, allowing all the parts to befabricated on a rapid production basis with liberal tolerances andassembled without individual fitting of the parts without the use oftools.

Various other features and advantages of the invention are more fullydisclosed in the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a general side elevation of the chair in its uprightadjustment.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan view projected from illustratinggenerally the mounting of the seat at the forward and rearward ends ofthe support frame.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 3--3, Figure 5,detailing the detachable mounting of the tumbler bar.

Figure 4 is a view generally similar to Figure 1 with the support framein section to illustrate generally the arrangement of the adjustmentmechanism.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the ratchet mechanism takenon line 5-5, Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from Figure 5detailing the detent structure at one end of the tumbler bar.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view showing termediate position.

Figure 8 illustrates the pivotal action of the tumbler bar as the seatis adjusted upwardly.

Figure 9 shows the tumbler bar being latched in its inactive position asthe seat is elevated beyond the upright. position.

Figure 10 shows the tumbler bar being rotated back to its activeposition as the seat is lowered to full reclining position.

Described generally with reference to Figures 1 and 4 the chair assemblycomprises a base or support frame which rests upon the floor, with theseat and com ponent back rest 16 mounted for angular adjustment withrespect to the frame. For this purpose, the forward end of the seat ispivotally connected as at 17 to the frame on opposite sides and itsrearward end is supported at selected elevations by the ratchetmechanism indicated generally at 18. The seat is arranged to be adjustedfrom the upright position shown in full lines in Figure l to one ofseveral selected reclining positions as indicated in broken lines(Figure 4) by raising or lowering the rearward end of the seat with theforward end turning about the pivot point 17.

As described later in detail, the ratchet mechanism is provided with aseries of ratchet teeth or shoulders which are engaged selectively by apawl or tumbler bar as the rearward end of the seat is swung upwardlyfrom the full reclining position shown in full lines to the uprightposition shown in broken lines (Figure 4). In making the adjustment, theuser simply grasps the back rest which forms a part of the seat andraises it upwardly a suflicient distance to move one or more of theratchet shoulders upwardly above the swinging edge of the tumbler bar.

Briefly, the adjustment is made in upward steps from the full recliningposition, the seat assembly being locked against downward motion at theselected upward positions by the ratchet mechanism. When the seat isshifted upwardly beyond its upright limit, the ratchet mechanism isautomatically disengaged, allowing the seat to swing down to its initialfull reclining position, whereupon the ratchet mechanism is reengaged tosupport it. This conditions the ratchet mechanism for the same stepwiseupward adjustments; therefore the seat is adjusted either up or down bydirect shifting of the seat itself and the ratchet mechanism respondsautomatically without manual operation of a release member. The motionsof the seat and tumbler bar in the several seat positions is illustrateddiagrammatically in Figures 7 to 10.

Described in detail with reference to Figures 1 and 4, the support frame15 is a generally rectangular structure comprising a pair of spaced siderails 20-20 joined together at the front by a cross rail 21. Asexplained later in detail, the frame further includes a rearward supportrail 22 which sustains the tumbler bar 23 firmly against downward motionwhen engaged by the ratchet shoulders. The support rail 22, as explainedlater, is effective to bear the weight load at the rearward end of theseat and sustain the seat firmly in its adjusted position.

The support frame 15 is provided on opposite sides with arm rests 24-24which include uprights rising from the side rails 20. The frame issupported in spaced relationship above the floor upon forward andrearward legs 25 which project downwardly from the side rails. Thesupport frame forms a rigid box-like member preferably formed of woodproviding a suitably finished piece of cabinet work.

The seat frame is also constructed of wood and consists generally of apair of side rails 26-26 spaced from one another and spanned by a crossmember 27, suitably arranged to support the seat cushion 28. The backrest includes a pair of generally upright side members 30-30 spacedapart and having their lower ends attached to the side rails 26 of theseat. In addition, suitable cross bracing (not shown) extends crosswisebetween the uprights to support the back cushion 31. The back cushionmay be attached to its frame in a conventional manner and is suitablyupholstered, while the seat cushion may be placed loosely in position.It will be understood that the seat frame is slightly narrower than thesupport frame and that it is fitted between the side rails 20-20 topermit angular adjustment.

'As explained earlier, the seat assembly is readily detached from thesupport frame and may be compactly crated for shipment and convenientlyassembled at its 4 destination. For this purpose, the pivot mounting 17and ratchet mechanism 18 are arranged to allow the seat to be installedand removed from the base frame without detaching any parts. As bestshown in Figure 4, the pivot mounting is in duplicate at opposite sidesof the frame and consists of a pair of pivot pins 32-32 mounted upon thefront legs 25 and projecting inwardly toward the seat. Each pivot pinincludes a mounting plate 33 seated upon the inner surface of itsmounting leg and attached by wood screws passing into the leg, with bothpivot pins located upon a common horizontal axis. Each pivot pinprojects at opposite sides into a curved slot 34 formed in a metal guideplate 35 which is attached to the side rails of the seat frame byscrews. The seat side rails each include a routed slot corresponding toslot 34 providing clearance for the outer end portion of the pivot pin.The curved slot is disposed generally upon a vertical axis and includesan open lower end 36 providing entry for the pivot pin. It will beunderstood that the structure so far described is identical on bothsides of the chair. 7

It will be noted in Figure 4, that the open end 36 of the slot isdelineated by curved edges on opposite sides providing a flaring throatto facilitate entry of the pivot pin. The slot is engaged upon its pinby placing the forward end of the seat upon the pins then shifting theseat lengthwise to bring the flared opening into alignment with thepins. The seat is grasped at its rearward end during assembly and isfree to follow the curve of the slot as the slotted portion slides downupon the pins. After the pins are fully engaged in the slots, with therear end engaged by the ratchet mechanism, the curve of the slotprovides a locking engagement with the pins.

This locking engagement is effective to prevent the seat assembly fromtipping backwards. In other words, if the back restis forced downwardlyor rearwardly, the seat assembly tends to rock downwardly while theforward end tends to swing upwardly through an are centered upon theratchet mechanism. However, by virtue of the curve, the edges of theslots engage the pins, locking the forward edge of the chair to thesupport frame while its rearward end is locked by the ratchet mechanism.As explained later, the pivotal connection also provides a limitedamount of fore and aft motion which facilitates adjustment andengagement of the ratchet mechanism.

The ratchet mechanism consists of the elongated tumbler bar 23 pivotallymounted upon pins 37 between the rearward legs 25 and engageableselectively with a series of ratchet shoulders or teeth 38. The ratchetteeth are formed in the rearward edge of respective ratchet blocks 40-40which are preferably fabricated from hardwood and set into the rearwardcorners of the seat frame as best shown in Figure 4. The teeth projectrearwardly and engage over the free edge of the pivoted tumbler bar 23adjacent its opposite ends.

To provide clearance for the tumbler bar, the rearward surface of theback rest is inset between the ratchet blocks as indicated at 41 inFigure 1. In the particular style illustrated, the upholstery coveringof the seat assembly is extended to the base of the ratchet blocks atopposite sides and extends across the inset between the ratchet blockstoprovide a neat, trim appearance, with the teeth projecting beyond thecovering for engagement with the tumbler bar.

One of the important features of the present structure resides in themounting of the tumbler, whereby the tumbler is firmly supported when inload bearing position by the support rail 22. According to thisconstruction, the pivotal mounting pins 37 for the tumbler are disposedabove the support rail and-are completely relieved of the weight load ofthe seat to preserve the mech anism against excessive wear and toprovide a rigid support. In other words, when the seat is locked in itsadjusted position, the weight load is transmitted through the tumbler tothe support rail 22, which forms a fixed part of the support frame 15,such that the load is carried directly by the frame instead of beingcarried upon the pair of coaxial pivot pins 37.

Described with reference to Figures 4 and 7, it will be noted that thetumbler bar proper is substantially rectangular in cross section andthat the support rail 22 is provided with an abutment bar 42, attachedby screws to the upper edge of the support rail and extending parallelwith and beneath the tumbler bar. The top surrace of the abutment Darpro ects slightly above the top surface of the support rail and, when inseat supporting position (Figure l the tumbler rests upon the uppersurface of the abutment bar.

As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the outer end portions of the tumbler barare undercut at an angle as indicated at 4444, providing overhangingbuttresses 45-45 at opposite ends which, in load supporting position,prO- ject into the interdental spaces or the ratchet teeth and engagethe shoulders 46 of the teeth at opposite sides of the seat. Theundercut portion 44 of the tumbler provides clearance for the ratchetteeth during upward movement of the seat as shown in Figure 8, theratchet blocks having a substantial width and the undercut portions 44being slightly greater in Width to provide clearance for the teeth. Thusupon upward movement of the seat, the inclined surfaces 47 of the teethbear against the angular undercut surface 44 at opposite sides to swingthe tumbler upwardly to the inchned position shown in Figure 8. lt willbe understood at this point, that the tumbler abutment bar 42 iscoextensive with the rectangular portion 48 of the tumbler andterminates at the undercuts at opposite ends to provide clearance forthe ratchet teeth.

It will be noted in Figures 3 and 8, that the side of the tumbler bar,which is opposite to the ratchet teeth, is inclined downwardly as at 49.The inclined side extends to the bottom surface of the bar so as toprovide clearance between the tumbler bar and the support rail 22assembly when the tumbler swings to disengaged or inactive position. Theopposite side of the bar proper, which extends between the undercuts 44and seats upon the abutment bar 42, has a greater width than thebuttresses and is square in cross section as indicated at 50 to providea solid seat upon the full length of the abutment bar. It will be seenin Figure 5 that the buttresses 45 extend outwardly beyond the oppositeends of the abutment bar 42 and thus support the ratchet teeth incantilever fashion at opposite ends.

The tumbler bar is preferably fabricated from hardwood such as maple soas to withstand hard usage without excessive wear or failure. It will beseen that the buttress 45 is disposed directly above the surface of theabutment bar 42 and that the weight load is imposed by the ratchetshoulders directly in compression through the tumbler bar to theabutment bar, such that the pivotal mounting pins are relieved of allstress when the tumbler bar is in load sustaining position.

Since the pivot mountings are not required to support the weight load ofthe seat assembly, it has been possible to mount the bar in a detachablemanner and there by simplify the fabrication and assembly operations.The construction and arrangement of the mounting means is bestillustrated in Figures 5 and 6 and is such 57 that the bar is insertedand removed by placing one of its ends in bearing engagement upon onepivot pin 37 then swinging its opposite end laterally into bearingengagement upon the second pivot pin. After the bar is thus inserted toits operating position, the forward end of the seat is engaged upon theforward pivot pins 17-17 and the rearward end is then swung down to itsengaged position upon the bar. The engagement of the ratchet blocks isthen effective to lock the tumbler bar positively in its operatingposition. This arrangement greatly simplifies the assembly operationsince it eliminates the need of accurately locating and attaching thepivot pins 37 and other parts at final assembly.

Referring to Figures 3 and 5, it will be noted that the right hand endof the tumbler bar is provided with an open slot 51 which includes anopen end 52 terminating at the outer surface of the bar. The inner endof the slot is rounded and includes a semi-circular metal bushing 53.The fixed pivot pin 37 projects into the slot, the pin having a diameterapproximately equal to the width of the slot and being in bearingengagement with the bushing 53. The pivot pin is attached to a mountingplate 55 which is anchored by wood screws projecting into the rear leg25. It will be observed that if the seat is elevated sufiiciently toraise the ratchet blocks above the plane of the tumbler bar, the slot 51will allow the bar to be shifted laterally toward the front of the chairto a disengaged position. The bar is then removed by shifting it axiallyout of engagement with respect to the pivot pin 37 on the opposite side.As shown in Figure 6, the left end of the tumbler bar includes a bore56, preferably including a metal sleeve 5'! providing a bearingengagement with the left hand pivot pin 3'/. The pivot pin is atacned toa mounting plate 58 generally similar to the right hand structure andanchored in a similar manner by screws on to the rear leg 25.

in order to latch the tumbler bar in a reliable manner in its disengagedor inactive position as shown in Figure 9, the left end of the bar isprovided with a spring loaded detent plunger 61 which normally ridesupon the surface of plate at; and which snaps into engagement into anelongated slot 62 formed in the plate, when shifted to the rullydisengaged position. The detent plunger is slidably mounted in acylindrical sleeve 63 seated in a hole drilled in the end of the tumblerbar and located radially from bore 56. A spring 64 is confined incompression between the inner end of the sleeve and the end of thedetent plunger. The plunger includes an enlarged head 65 connned 1n thesleeve and engageable with a shoulder 66 formed at the outer end of thesleeve to retain the plunger in the sleeve.

As shown in Figure 9, the tumbler bar is shifted to its disengagedposition by a fiat spring 67- attached by screws 66 to the lower portionof the left hand ratchet block. The spring includes an outwardly curvedportion which bears against the under cut 44 of the bar as the seatassembly 18 swung upwardly beyond its full upright position. Upon beingengaged, the bar swings upwardly against a stop 70 which is struckupwardly from the plate 58. In this position the detent plunger snapsinto slot 62 and locks the bar in disengaged or inactive position.

The seat is now free to be swung downwardly to its full recliningposition as indicated in Figure 10. It will be observed that the tumblerbar is latched in an inclined plane with its buttresses 45 disposedinwardly of the axis of the pivot pins 37. Upon downward motion of theseat, the buttresses are contacted by the overhanging shoulders 71-71 atopposite sides which are formed in the ratchet blocks above the teeth.This forces the bar to swing downwardly through an are, releasing thedetent engagement and rotating the bar to its active position, restingupon the abutment bar. The mechanism is now in condition for upwardreadjustment of the seat. The shoulders 71-71 preferably are providedwith load supporting buttons 72-72, which engage the top surface of thebuttresses at or near the central axis of the tumbler bar when in finalload supporting position to provide greater stability.

As explained earlier, the various parts-are so arranged that the frameand seat assembly are fabricated under mass production techniques withmaximum tolerance allowances and provide rapid, convenient: assembly.For example, a predetermined amount of clearance is provided between theforward pivot pins 17 and the slots to allow the seat to .shift slightlyin the fore and aft direction. The shoulders 46 of the ratchet teethprovide a substantial overhang relative to the tumbler bar withclearance, indicated at 73, provided between the ends of the buttressesand bases of the teeth. when engaged (Figure 7). forwardly by virtue ofthe clearance existing between the forward pivot pins 17 and theirslots; therefore, upon engagement of the ratchet teeth, the seatassembly is free to shift rearwardly to increase the purchase of theratchet shoulders upon the tumbler bar. The pivot pin and toothclearances thus compensate for variations which may exist from the partsof one chair to another and provide proper operation without selectiveassembly or individual fitting of parts.

The flat spring 67 which trips the bar to disengaged position alsocompensates for variations in size and location of parts. In otherwords, the curved spring is effective to engage the tumbler bar andforce it completely back against the positive stop 70 during upward seatmotion, yielding if necessary to compensate for variations in spacingbetween the tumbler bar and ratchet blocks. The spring thus is effectiveto bring about positive latching of the tumbler bar to its inactiveposition by the detent plunger. Fabrication and assembly procedures arefurther simplified by the elongated detent slot 62 which bisects the arcof motion of the detent plunger and thereby provides positive engagementwithout requiring precise centering of the pivot pin bore or detentplunger.

During upward motion, the seat shifts.

Having described my invention I claim:

1. An adjustment mechanism for an easy chair having a seat and componentback rest, a support frame including spaced side rails, the seat beingnested between the side rails and having pivotal means connecting itsforward portion to the support frame on opposite sides, the seat beingadjustable about the pivotal means in upward steps from a full recliningangle to a generally upright reading position, said adjustment mechanismcomprising, ratchet teeth mounted upon the rearward portion of the seaton opposite sides and providing interdental spaces delineating a seriesof overhanging shoulders disposed one above the other, a tumbler barextending across the rearward end of the support frame, pivot pinsconnecting the opposite ends of the tumbler bar to the support frame,the tumbler bar having swinging edge portions at opposite endsprojecting into the plane of the interdental spaces, and a stationaryabutment rail extending across the support frame and having its oppositeends secured thereto, the abutment rail being located beneath saidtumbler bar and coextensive therewith, the tumbler bar pivoting upwardlyabout said pivot pins relative to the abutment rail in response toupward movement of the ratchet teeth upon adjustment of the rearwardportion of the seat upwardly, the tumbler bar normally resting upon theabutment rail with a selected pair of shoulders engaged thereon in aposition to support the rearward portion of the seat, the shouldersthereby imposing the weight load of the seat through the tumbler elementdirectly upon the abutment rail to provide a firm support for the seatin adjusted position with no load imposed upon said pivot pins.

2. An adjustment mechanism for an easy chair having a seat and componentback rest, a support frame including spaced side rails, the seat beingnested between the side rails and having pivotal means connecting itsforward portion to the support frame on opposite sides, the seat beingadjustable about the pivotal means in upward steps from a full recliningangle to a generally upright reading position, said adjustment mechanismcomprising, ratchet teeth mounted upon the rearward portion of the seaton opposite sides and providing interdental spaces delineating a seriesof overhanging shoulders disposed one above the other, a tumbler elementpivotally mounted upon the rearward portion of the support frame andhaving swinging edge portions at opposite ends normally projecting intothe plane of said interdental spaces. and a stationary abutment memberforming a part of the support frame and located beneath said tumblerelement, said tumbler element pivoting upwardly above the abutmentmember in response to upward movement of the ratchet teeth uponadjustment of the rearward portion of the seat upwardly, the tumblerelement normally resting upon the abutment member with a selected pairof shoulders engaged thereon in a position to support the rearwardportion of the seat, the shoulders thereby imposing the weight load ofthe seat through the tumbler element directly upon the abutment memberto provide a firm support for the seat in adjusted position with no loadimposed upon the pivotal mounting of the tumbler element.

3. An adjustment mechanism for an easy chair having a seat and componentback rest, a support frame including spaced side rails, the seat beingnested between the side rails, and pivotal means connecting its forwardportion to the side rails on opposite sides, said adjustment mechanismcomprising, ratchet teeth mounted upon the rearward portion of the seaton opposite sides providing interdental spaces delineating a series ofoverhanging shoulders disposed one above the other, a tumbler elementmovably mounted upon the rearward portion of the support frame andhaving edge portions at opposite ends normally projecting into the planeof the interdental spaces, and a stationary abutment member forming apart of the support frame, said tumbler element being movable relativeto the abutment member in response to upward movement of the ratchetteeth upon adjustment of the rearward portion of the seat upwardly, thetumbler element normally resting upon the abutment member with aselected pair of shoulders engaged thereon in a position U to supportthe rearward portion of the seat, the shoulders thereby imposing theweight load of the seat through the tumbler element directly upon theabutment member to provide a firm support for the seat in adjustedposition.

4. An adjustment mechanism for an easy chair having a support frame anda seat and component back rest, the seat having a forward portionpivotally connected to the support frame on opposite sides, the seatbeing adjustable in upward steps from a full reclining angle to agenerally upright reading position, said adjustment mechanismcomprising, a series of ratchet teeth mounted upon the rearward portionof the seat on opposite sides and providing overhanging shouldersdisposed one above the other, a tumbler element pivotally mounted uponthe rearward portion of the support frame and having swinging edgeportions at opposite ends normally projecting into the plane of theoverhanging shoulders, 21 fixed abutment member forming a part of thesupport frame and located beneath said tumbler element, said tumblerelement pivoting upwardly above the abutment member in response toupward movement of the ratchet teeth upon adjustment of the rearwardportion of the seat upwardly, the tumbler element normally resting uponthe abutment member with said shoulders engaged thereon in a position tosupport the rearward portion of the seat, the shoulders imposing theweight load of the seat through the tumbler element and upon theabutment member, means on the rearward portion of the seat engageablewith the tumbler element, said means effective when the rearward portionof the seat is raised above the generally upright reading position toshift the tumbler to a position retracted from the plane of theoverhanging shoulders, cooperating detent means mounted on the tumblerelement effective to latch the tumbler element in said retractedposition whereby the seat is adapted to be lowered to the full recliningposition, and means on the seat engageable with the tumbler element whenthe seat is shifted to said full reclining position effective to rotatethe tumbler element to its normal position resting upon the abutmentmember.

5. A ratchet mechanism for an adjustable easy chair having a supportframe and a seat including a back rest, the seat having a forwardportion pivotally connected to the support frame on opposite sides, saidratchet mechanism comprising, a series of ratchet teeth mounted at therearward portion of the seat on opposite sides thereof and providing aseries of downwardly facing shoulders disposed one above the other, atumbler bar extending transversely across the frame at the rearward endthereof in a position to selectively engage said downwardly facingshoulders, pivot means connecting the opposite ends of the tumbler barto the support frame, a cross rail extending across the support framebelow the tumbler bar and in parallelism therewith, the cross railhaving opposite ends attached to the support frame, the tumbler barbeing generally rectangular in cross section and resting normally in ahorizontal plane upon the cross rail and having opposite ends extendingbeyond the ends of the cross rail, the opposite ends of the tumbler barbeing undercut to provide buttresses which underlie the overhangingshoulders of the ratchet teeth and support the same with the weight loadof the rearward portion of the seat transmitted through the tumbler bardownwardly upon the support rail, the buttresses providing upwardlyinclined bearing surfaces engageable with the ratchet teeth andeffective to rotate the tumbler bar upwardly in response to upwardmotion of the rearward portion of the seat and ratchet teeth, wherebythe tumbler bar is supported upon said pivot means during upward motionof the ratchet teeth and is supported by the cross rail when the weightload of the rearward portion of the seat is imposed upon it at oppositeends.

6. A ratchet mechanism for an adjustable easy chair having a supportframe and a seat including a back rest, the seat having its forwardportion pivotally connected to said support frame on opposite sides, theseat being adjustable from a full reclining angle to a generally uprightreading position, said ratchet mechanism comprising a series of ratchetteeth mounted at the rearward portion of the seat on opposite sidesthereof, said teeth providing a series of downwardly facing shouldersdisposed one above the other, a tumbler bar extending transverselyacross the frame at the rearward portion thereof, the tumbler barnormally residing in a horizontal active position engaging saiddownwardly facing shoulders, pivot means connecting the opposite ends ofthe tumbler bar to the support frame adapting the tumbler bar to rotatein response to the upward motion of the ratchet teeth when the rearwardportion of the seat is raised, an abutment member attached to thesupport frame beneath the tumbler bar, the tumbler bar normally restingupon said abutment member when residing in said horizontal activeposition to provide a firm support for the seat, a yieldable contactmember mounted upon the rearward portion of the seat below the ratchetteeth, the yieldable contact member being effective to rotate thetumbler bar about its pivot means to an inactive upwardly inclinedposition upon upward motion of the rearward portion of the seat beyondthe upright read ing position, cooperating detent members on the tumblerbar and support frame effective to lock the bar in said inactiveposition whereby the seat is movable downwardly, anda pair ofoverhanging shoulders disposed above said ratchet teeth engageable withthe tumbler bar and effective to rotate the same to its activehorizontal position when the seat is adjusted to full recliningposition.

A ratchet mechanism for an adjustable easy chair having a support frameand a seat including a back rest, thekseat having its forward portionpivotally connected tothe support frame on opposite sides, said ratchetmechanism comprising, a series of ratchet teeth mounted upon therearward portion of the seat at opposite sides thereof and' disposed oneabove the other, a tumbler bar extending transversely across the supportframe in a position to engage said ratchet teeth, pivot pins connectingthe opposite ends of the tumbler bar to the support frame, the tumblerbar having a bore at one end in bearing engagement with one of saidpivot pins, and having a slot at theopposite end thereof engaging theother of said pivot pins, said slot having an open end at the rearwardside of the tumbler bar, the tumbler bar being locked upon said pivotpins by engagement against said ratchet teeth and being detachable byshifting said slotted end forwardly with the ratchet teeth elevatedabove the tumbler bar,

whereby the slot is disengaged from the pivot pin, an

abutment rail extending transversely across the side members beneath thetumbler bar, the opposite ends of the abutment rail being attached tothe support frame, said tumbler bar being rotatable about the pivot pinsin response to motion of the ratchet teeth upwardly as the rearwardportion of the seat is adjusted upwardly, the tumbler bar normallyresting upon the abutment rail and engageable with the ratchet teethupon downward motion of the ratchet teeth, whereby the weight loadimposed by the ratchet teeth upon the tumbler bar is resisted by theabutment rail.

. 8. A ratchet mechanism for an adjustable easy chair having a supportframe and a seat including a back rest, the seat having its forwardportion pivotally connected tofsaid support frame on opposite sides andbeing adjustable from a full reclining angle to a generally uprightposition, said ratchet mechanism comprising a series of ratchet teethmounted at the rearward end of the chair on opposite sides thereofproviding a series of downwardly facing shoulders disposed one above theother, a tumbler bar extending transversely across the frame at therearward portion thereof in a position to engage said downwardly facingshoulders, a pair of pivot pins connecting the opposite ends of thetumbler bar to the support frame adapting the tumbler bar to swingupwardly in response to the upward motion of the ratchet teeth when theseat is raised, an abutment bar attached to the support frame beneaththe tumbler bar, the tumbler bar normally resting in a horizontal planeupon said abutment when engaged by said downwardly facing shoulders toprovide a support for the seat with the weight load imposed upon theabutment rail, a contact member mounted upon the rearward portion of theseat below the ratchet teeth, the contact member being effective toswing the tumbler bar upwardly to an inclined position retracted fromthe ratchet teeth upon upward motion of the rearward portion of the seatabove the upright reading position, a yieldable detent plunger mountedon the tumbler bar adjacent the pivot pin at one end thereof, a slottedmember mounted upon the support frame in a position to engage the detentplunger and latch the tumbler bar in said inclined posi- ;tion, and apair of overhanging shoulders disposed above the ratchet teethengageable with the tumbler bar and effective to disengage the detentplunger and to swing the tumbler bar to its active horizontal positionwhen the seat is adjusted downwardly to full reclining position.

9. A ratchet mechanism for an adjustable easy chair having a supportframe and a seat including a back rest, the seat having its forwardportion pivotally connected to said support frame on opposite sides andbeing adjustable from a full reclining angle to a generally uprightposition, said ratchet mechanism comprising a series of ratchet teethmounted at the rearward end of the chair on opposite sides thereofproviding a series of downwardly facing shoulders disposed one above theother, a tumbler bar extending transversely across the frame at therearward portion thereof in a position to engage said downwardly facingshoulders, a pair of pivot pins connecting the oppo site ends of thetumbler bar to the support frame adapting the tumbler bar to swingupwardly in response to the upward motion of the ratchet teeth when theseat is raised, an abutment bar attached to the support frame beneaththe tumbler bar, the tumbler bar normally resting in a horizontal planeupon said abutment when engaged by said downwardly facing shoulders toprovide a support for the seat with the weight load imposed upon theabutment rail, a contact member mounted upon the rearward portion of theseat below the ratchet teeth, the contact member being effective toswing the tumbler bar upwardly to an inclined position retracted fromthe ratchet teeth upon upward motion of the rearward portionf of theseat above the upright reading position, a yieldable detent plungermounted on the tumbler bar adjacent the pivot pin at one end thereof andmovable in an are upon swinging motion of the tumbler bar, the supportframe having a stop mounted relative to the tumbler bar in a position toengage the tumbler bar when the same is swung upwardly to said inclinedposition, the support'frame including an elongated slot bisecting thearc of movement of the detent plunger and engageable with the plungerwhen the tumbler bar engages the stop, anda pair of overhangingshoulders disposed above the ratchet teeth engageable with the tumblerbar and effective "to disengage the detent plunger and to swing thetumbler bar to its active horizontal position when the seat is adjusteddownwardly to full reclining position.

10. A ratchet mechanism for an adjustable easy chair having a supportframe and a seat including a back rest, the seat having its forwardportion pivotally connected to said support frame on opposite sides andbeing "adjuse able-from a full reclining angle to a generally uprightposition, said ratchet mechanism comprising a series of ratchet teethmounted at the rearward end of the chair on opposite sides thereofproviding a series of downwardly facing shoulders disposed one above theother, a tumbler bar extending transversely across the frame at therearward portion thereof in a position to engage said downwardly facingshoulders, a pair of pivot pins connecting the opposite ends of thetumbler bar to the support jframe adapting the tumbler bar to swingupwardly in response to the upward motion of the ratchet teeth when theseat is raised, said pivot pins having mounting plates attached to thesupport frame on opposite sides, an abutment bar attached to the supportframe beneath the tumbler bar, the tumbler bar normally resting in ahorizontal plane upon said abutment when engaged by said downwardlyfacing shoulders to provide a support for the seat with the weight loadimposed upon the abutment rail, a contact member mounted upon therearward portion of the seat below the ratchet teeth, the contact memberbeing effective to swing the tumbler bar upwardly to an inclinedposition retracted from the ratchet teeth upon upward motion of therearward portion of the seat above the upright reading position, ayieldable detent plunger mounted on the tumbler bar adjacent the pivotpin at one end thereof and movable in an are upon swinging motion of thetumbler bar, the mounting plate of said pivot pin having an elongatedslot formed therein bisecting the arc of movement of the detent plungerand engageable with the plunger and effective to latch the tumbler barin said inclined position, and a pair of overhanging shoulders disposedabove the ratchet teeth engageable with the tumbler bar and effective todisengage the detent plunger and to swing the tumbler bar to its activehorizontal position when the seat is adjusted downwardly to fullreclining position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,674,846 Streit June 26, 1928 1,720,102 Streit July 9, 1929 2,271,925Niles Feb. 3, 1942

